Kelly calls for federal action to solve border situation
Senator tours border near San Luis for first-hand perspective - CBS 13's Cody Lee and News 11's Crystal Jimenez report
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) claims a crisis at the border after witnessing first hand the influx of undocumented immigrants at the border claiming asylum.
"I would say it's a crisis. It's a lot of individuals, especially kids." Sen. Kelly told reporters at a press conference. "It's a humanitarian crisis and it's tragic. I mean to see you know small children."
Sen. Kelly says he needed to see what was going on with his own eyes to get a better understanding of the issues at hand. After the visit, he said U.S. Border Patrol needs more resources to help them deal with the growing influx.
The Senator said it's the federal government's job to give agents those resources. Even saying Washington has failed border communities like Yuma County over and over again.
News 11's Crystal Jimenez reports on Sen. Kelly's visit:
"We've got to be able to do better and like I said, this should not fall on the City of Yuma, or Yuma County or San Luis or Somerton to handle this, this is the federal government problem.” Sen. Kelly explained.
Non-profits like Regional Center for Border Health and Campesinos sin Fronteras have been at the front lines of helping undocumented immigrants being released into the local community.
Helping administer COVID-19 tests, gather donations, and transport the individuals to the nearest shelters in California and Arizona.
Sen. Kelly says he's advocating for increased communication between federal, state, and local governments and law enforcement agencies. Kelly said he's made that appeal during conversations with both President Joe Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
